MOSCOW, February 1. /TASS/. Russia extends the suspension of air service with the United Kingdom until February 16, Russia’s anti-coronavirus crisis center said on Monday.

"The anti-coronavirus crisis center has decided to extend the suspension of air service with the United Kingdom. The ban was extended till 23:59 Moscow time on February 16, 2021 to protect public health," it said.

Russia suspended air service with the United Kingdom on December 22, 2020 after a new coronavirus strain was detected in that country.

The coronavirus situation in the United Kingdom is extremely difficult because of a mutated strain, which is said to be 70% more contagious and 30% more lethal. The British government imposed quarantine in England from January 4. Scotland’s, Wales’ and Northern Ireland’s authorities are free to decide about lockdown measures on their own. However they have taken similar measures, so quarantine may be seen as nationwide.

According to the latest statistics, around 103 million people have been infected worldwide and more than 2.2 million deaths have been reported.

To date, 3,868,087 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia, with 3,318,173 patients having recovered from the disease. Russia’s latest data indicates 73,619 fatalities nationwide. Earlier, the Russian government set up an Internet hotline to keep the public updated on the coronavirus situation.